It is an absolute pleasure to welcome you to tonight's civic reception for the opening of the Antarctic summer season.

I have only been a guest at this event before, although in 2008 I spoke on behalf of Prime Minister Helen Clark.

I said then that I had always enjoyed coming to this celebration having made many friends from this shared enthusiasm for the relationship with Antarctica, so it is a real pleasure to be able to welcome you all as the Mayor of Christchurch.

I can't believe how many Antarctica events I have participated in or hosted in the 11 months and two weeks since I've been Mayor.

I have had the pleasure of hosting the US Antarctic Programme Director Kelly Faulkner last Feb and more recently Brian Stone, the Antarctic Infrastructure & Logistics Section Head at the National Science Foundation.

I was delighted to have hosted Dr Yeadong Kim, the Director of the Korean AntarcticProgram on a number of occasions in the last year.

I have hosted a civic reception during the COMNAP AGM where I learned that theCOMNAP secretariat will remain here in Christchurch for another 6 year term atGateway Antarctica with Michelle Rogan-Finnemore continuing her good work as theExecutive Secretary.

During that time I hosted the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration and wasdelighted to hear that the Xue Long - the appropriately named icebreaker, SnowDragon - will call into the Port of Lyttelton in January, as the Chinese progress theirplans to build a base on Inexpressible Island. That will be an open day not to bemissed.

I have hosted several of the diplomatic and consular corps this morning, welcomingnew representatives of old friends and welcoming back those who have had that rolefor some time.I also welcomed a new representative from Operation Deep Freeze along with ourlongstanding friend Art Brown from the Office of Polar Programs National ScienceFoundation, from the United States.

Can I welcome all the Antarctic programs back to the city – particularly the UnitedStates Antarctic Program. As I did 5 years ago on behalf of the government, I want toespecially recognise the long-standing valued relationship the city and the NZ AntarcticProgram have with the National Science Foundation, the United States AntarcticProgram and Operation Deep Freeze.

A C17 has arrived in the city this afternoon, once again heralding the opening of theAntarctic Season for 2014/2015. I intend to become familiar with its flight capabilitylater this year when I fly to Antarctica. I am looking forward to what is a lifetimeopportunity.

I would also like to welcome back the Italian and Korean programs, who useChristchurch as their gateway.

The city has a long-standing relationship with the Italian Antarctic Program. And I'dlike to acknowledge the new Italian Ambassador who is representing the program thisyear. The Italica was in port again last season.

Five years ago in my speech I noted with some enthusiasm that the Korean AntarcticProgram was considering Christchurch as a potential base for its logistics operations.That has been realised and this year the Koreans opened Jang Bogo Station whichmeans around 200 scientists and researchers will come through Christchurch thissummer. The Korean icebreaker Araon will again be in port this season and KOPRIhave confirmed their intention to open a Christchurch office this season.

Can I of course acknowledge the NZ Antarctic Programme – the importance to the cityof Antarctica NZ being based in Christchurch cannot be over-stated. The relationshipbetween Antarctica NZ and the city is just going from strength to strength and I thankthe chair, Rob Fenwick and new CEO Peter Beggs for that.

I should also recognise the city's infrastructure that supports the Antarctic programs –Christchurch International Airport (new Chief Executive Malcolm Johns) and theLyttelton Port Company (Chief Executive Peter Davie).

It is appropriate in this evening's context that I recognise the valued Antarctic Researchbeing undertaken by NZ Antarctic Research Institute, and by the various universitiesincluding our own University of Canterbury's Gateway Antarctica.

Gateway Antarctica was successful in winning 4 of the 7 Antarctic funding proposalsfrom the NZ Antarctic Research Institute in the last funding round.

The Antarctic Heritage Trust has an important role as well conserving the expeditionbases left by the Antarctic explorers. I also ackowledge our international and localAntarctic communities for their passion – including the NZ Antarctic SocietyCanterbury branch and the Antarctic Endeavour.

Antarctica is a critical part of who we are as a city and what our future holds. As Iremind people, Christchurch is only one of five gateway cities to Antarctica in theworld. This connection creates important economic, cultural and scientific benefits forChristchurch and links us to an international network of shared research andknowledge about Antarctica and the future of our planet.

In recognition of all these factors, we have as a city recently confirmed 'Christchurch'sAntarctic Gateway status" as one of our top priorities.

Antarctica is accorded a special place in New Zealand's national identity. As ourweather often reminds us, little lies between our islands and that great continent. Butmore than that, we live under Antarctica's spell - Antarctica holds a fascination for NewZealanders. Perhaps no New Zealander has been influenced more by Antarctica, orachieved more there, than the late Sir Edmund Hillary and I acknowledge Lady Hillaryfor honouring us with her presence again.

I am reading a 500-plus page book on Antarctica at the moment in preparation for myvisit. There is much about the history of Antarctica's long-awaited discovery.

James Cook concluded that no one could make it further south than 71°10'S, saying thatwhatever "inexpressibly horrid" land might lie beyond the pack ice "would not beworth the discovery". How wrong he was.

And now all that remains for me to do is to wish you all a safe and successful season.Thank you.

The opening of NZ IceFest 2014

I am delighted to be launching NZ IceFest 2014. The benefits to the city and the countryof celebrating our special relationship with Antarctica are enormous.

This is an important opportunity to showcase NZ-led Antarctic science and the benefitsof international co-operation.

The Festival hub has been relocated to the centre of the city so that it also contributesto bringing life and vitality back into the CBD

I want to acknowledge and thank the NZ IceFest 2014 key sponsors that have workedwith the city: